Arison Believes Wade Will Stay

November 11, 2009|By Ira Winderman Staff writer

MIAMI — In a wide-ranging discussion before Tuesday night's game against the Wizards at AmericanAirlines Arena, Heat owner Micky Arison touched on a variety of pressing team issues, including his belief that Dwyane Wade and Pat Riley have long-term futures with the team, and plans to eventually hand over the franchise to his son, Nick.

While downplaying 2010 free agency as a subject that he believes has overwhelmed the significance of the current season, Arison also said he believes he will retain his star guard during that phase of the offseason.

"I have every indication from Dwyane that this is where he wants to be," Arison said, with Wade holding an opt-out clause at season's end. "He loves Miami. He'd like to spend his whole career. But the reality is I don't have a signature on a contract. Obviously we talked about an extension this summer. I was disappointed we couldn't come to an agreement, but that was Dwyane's right. ... Every indication I have is that this is where he wants to be."

The offseason also marks the end of Riley's current contract as team president.

"Pat can be here as long as he wants to be here," said Arison, who brought Riley to the team in 1995. "We haven't discussed it, but every indication I have is that he'd like to keep going."

While Arison acknowledged he was tempted to sell the team during the period that preceded the team's 2006 NBA championship, he stressed the plan is to eventually hand over the team to his son, who currently is serving as an executive in basketball operations under Riley.

"I thought it was a great asset to keep for my family," he said.

That doesn't mean Arison doesn't see hurdles with the current economic climate.

"We're in good shape with sponsorship, surprisingly good shape," the Carnival Corp. chairman said, "but really struggling with ticket sales, and I think that's the situation all over."

Arison said he felt compelled to discuss the state of the franchise because of concerns that the luxury tax and salary-cap planning for 2010 free agency had overwhelmed the on-court product.

"Honestly, I think we haven't done a very good job positioning that issue," he said. "It's not an issue for fans. It's not their problem. What they want to see us do is get better and contend for a championship, and that is what we are trying to do.

"I think there's been this focus on '10 and I think that's been misguided. It's about getting better and about getting better players. And if we can do it this year, we'll do it this year."